Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-03-28

ef all the other daily papers here added
together.
So far as is now known, none OF the paintings in
the collection OF the late A. T. Stewart sold in
New York last week, will come to Washington,
although several liberal bidders from this city
were present represented at the sale. The
collection had been more than once carefully
examined, in advance, in the interest OF the Cor
Gallery OF Art, and IL was decided after full
deliberation that OF the 2I7 pictures constituting
the collection the only one that Institution spec
tally cared 10 possess was ''The Horse Fair" by
Rosa Bonheur, and this the board of trustees
hoped 10 get. The representative OF the Gallery
at the sale was accordingly empowered and in
structed TO bid over $4,000 for it, IL necessary TO
secure the prize He calamity carried the bidding
several points beyond that figure, when, thinking
that the amount involved might perhaps be used
TO better advantage in otherwise increasing the
attractions Of the Gallery, he withdrew from the
contest, and the object OF contention was there
upon Knocked down, at $4,000, TO the bidding
agent of Mr.. Cornelius Vanderbilt, who on Satur-
day presented IL TO the Metropolitan Museum Of
AT In New York City.
While it is matter for congratulation that this
fine example .of modern art Is TO go to place
where 1t Will always be accessible to the public, it
Is on many accounts TO be regretted that it did not
come to the CorcOran Gallery, for IL has many and
W
ton Its subject may keep it from being ranked
great work, in the sense in which that term is
usually applied TO efforts in art but ii may be said
that, from the extent to which IL has filled the
public eye ever since its first appearance. IL Is the
most famous picture painted BY any artist now
living. II is certainly the masterpiece OF Mile.
Bonheur, and the achievement which first brought
her into prominence, Well the one upon
which her reputation artist will finally rest.
II is furthermore bright and fresh in color, and
apparently in as good condition, in every respect,
as when il left her studio more than third OF
century ago. 1t would, therefore, have made de-
Sirable accession TO the CorcOran collection as
that Gallery itself would in turn have made fit
ting home for it. But OF course the trustees, act
ing in their fduciary capacity, could not justify
themselves in bidding Indefinitely for it any
work OF art against private capitalists OF practi-
eaily unlimited means, who are accountable to no
one for the use made of their money, to whom the
expenditure OF hundred thousand dollars, more
or less makes little difference, and who would
enjoy distinction thus gained in exact proper
ton TO the amount paid 10 secure it, 1t is now
known, also, that 10 have prolonged the contest
farther would have resulted in no advantage to
the Gallery, since IL Is given Gus that Mr.. Wander
bilt determined TO buy the picture for the purpose
Indicated, matter what 1t might cost. None
the less, however are the trustees of the Gallery
70 be commended for the liberal and appreciative
well for the future enrichment OF the institution
committed TO their charge.
As an impression prevails Ia some quarters that
this picture Is REPLICA IL may be stated here that
1t is the original and great work of its name and
the only one Of Its Size that was painted. SUBJ
stantial reproduction, less than one-fourth its
dimensions uhe one under notice isoOOx96 inches),
hangs In the British National Gallery in London;
second, somewhat larger than the last-named, Is
said to be in existence somewhere but its location
does not seem TO be Well established and another
much smaller yet, in water cOlOrS, is owned in
marlborough. England. They were all painted
throughout by the same hand-one of them for
the use OF the engraver, who made steel plate
fom tt-and neither OF the Others was intended
or can De considered TO be rival of the first work.
As matter OF general interest, and especially
as showing how good works OF art advance In
money value, 1t may be added in this connection
that when 1.-The Horse Fair" was first painted
Nile Bonheur offered it TO the city of Bordeaux for
1900 francs but subsequently sold il to picture
dealer III Paris for 10000 francs, or S, OOO The
explanation OF the small figure at which it was
FIRST offered lies partly in the patriotic desire OF
the artist that her native city should possess what
she felt the best work she could do and partly
in her appreciation of the fact that such owner
ship OF a comparatively early work would enhance
her reputation as an artist. Ii Is understood that
MI. Stewart paid about s,6, 900 for the painting
so that IL brought TO the estate something more
than double It's cost. This is perhaps the only
picture In the collection OF which that can be said
and 1t is one Of very few in 1t that yielded any |
material profit, or any profit at all On the other
hand large majority OF the whole number sold |
for far less than Mr.. Stewart paid for them, and
some did not bring 80 much as one-tenth OF their
cost.
The single picture In the collection which sold |
Tor larger total sum than ''rhe Horse Fair, was
Aessoniers painting entitled '.1sO7," represent
ing Napoleon reviewing his army after the deci-
sise battle of Friedland. This brought s66 900:
but that sum could hardly have covered its actual
cost TO its owner. Mr.. Stewart paid the artist
$4,000 for 1t In Paris, and TO this amount must be
ADDED customs duties, exchange, Insurance and
other Incidental expenses attending its importa-
ton, so that by the time the canvas reached the
marble palace Of Its proprietor on 9TH avenue its
total cost must have reached considerably larger
sum than that realized by its sale last FIR iday
evening. Although .lsO7" is very much the largest
picture ever painted by Neissonier-the canvas
being 96x4 inches-it falls far short OF being his
best work Superior qualities have been claimed
Tor 1t by the artist and his interested adherents
but IL has never won the approval OF the highest
authorities on art, and it is unquestionably less
meritorous, artIstically considered and also less
valuable, from money point Of view in proper
ton 10 dimensions ana theme, than many of his
smaller and less ambitious efforts